Veterans who have suffered a spinal cord injury now have a facility in which they can recuperate comfortably and conveniently during a hospital stay at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Beckley.
“We took a ward with four beds and made it into an in-patient room with every possible convenience for a person with a spinal cord injury,” said Janie Flanagan, SCI coordinator. “There is no obstacle to keep them from getting around in the room, even if they have a large power chair.”
The spacious private room is equipped with automatic doors leading into it and includes a private bathroom, which is handicapped-accessible. There is a floor-level shower and automatic sinks and commode.
An airflow mattress on the bed prevents pressure sores and Skin Breakdown. A TV in the wall can easily come right in front of the patient.
“Everything is user-friendly,” Flanagan said. “Everything is automatic and operates with touch button ease. Everything is state-of-the-art and provides the very best comfort and convenience we could provide.”
The West Virginia Division of Tourism sent a CD with permission to download any of a number of beautiful scenic spots.
Flanagan chose several, had them enlarged and framed and had them placed on the walls of the room.
“Our veterans can enjoy a scene from every season of the year and have a sense of the beauty of the outdoors,” she said.
There is also a patient education display available for reading materials.
Nearly 38,000 veterans live in the 12-county area served by the Beckley VAMC, Flanagan said.
There has been an increase in the number of patients with spinal cord injuries, and that trend may continue as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
Patients with Multiple Sclerosis can also benefit from the new SCI accommodations, Flanagan said.
“MS is a neurological disorder that impairs the ability to function. Patients with MS will also be able to use this room,” Flanagan said.
Bev Davis Register-Herald Senior Editor
